THIEVES IN THE NIGHT

Hot Chip leave the lasers at home

Thanks to the excellent video for "I Feel Better," in which a bald man in a hospital gown interrupts a pitch-perfect boy-band concert by shooting lasers out of his mouth, Hot Chip have set the bar exceptionally high for their current live show; disappointment in the laser-weaponry and washboard-abs departments seems inevitable tonight. Fortunately, the English synth-pop outfit are touring behind what might be their strongest album yet: On One Life Stand, their tragicomic fusion of sad-boy pathos and party-boy grooves comes within flitting distance of Pet Shop Boys and Scritti Politti. With the xx, whose self-titled goth-soul debut looks set to loom larger this year than it did last. Also Friday with Gang Gang Dance.
Thu., April 22, 7 p.m.; Fri., April 23, 7 p.m., 2010